PVSS joins many in sadness at the recent passings of Emily Maloney, Abby Sobrato and Duane Crawford. Each was deeply dedicated to helping those less fortunate in their community, each a shining example of compassion and active commitment toward change.
The Wagner Family - A Family Committed to the Homeless
Here is a picture of the Wagner family in the 1930's - a poor family of 9 children that made a big mark in Watsonville. In the picture: the back row left to right is Eugene, Leo, George, Ursula, Madeline, and Kathleen (aka Sr. Marie Veronica). The front row is Jack, John Baptist Wagner (their father), Patrick, Luisa Brockamp Wagner (their mother), and Dolores. This humble family grew the food they ate, worked hard and managed to send their children to private Catholic school so that they would all become well educated and successful people. It was Sr. Marie Veronica who, 26 years ago, had the vision of starting a shelter to house homeless women and children. Her brother George, an employee of Granite Construction, was a major contributor to the purchase of the Shelter and set an example with his co-worker Dick Solari in helping the homeless in Watsonville. Their commitment went on to inspire Granite Construction employees in their support through the annual Mother's Day Run. Both these men and their families have continued the personal legacy of support, as have all the Wagner clan to this day. George Wagner passed away in early 2009. Read more about George Wagner below.
Gifts have been given this year (7/2009 - 6/2010) in memory of
Sister Marie Veronica Wagner, SND by AV Coyle
My sister Maria Luisa, died 1981 by Rudy Ortega
Peter and Anita Scurich by Philip Scurich
Sr. Marie Veronica Wagner by Eugene Wagner
Bud Crank by Antoinette Bowman
Betty Murphy by William P. Murphy
Terry Cannon by Laurie A. Nowark
Dolores McCain by Jessica Schmidt
Mrs. Patricia Schmidt and Mrs. Mary Turley by Margaret Kristich
Marvin and Florence by Cameron and James Jackson
"Aunt Kay" - Sr. Marie Veronica by Christian Kinder
George Wagner by Patrick Wagner
Nick and Lucy Borina and their daughters Mary Ann and June by the Borina Foundation
Tom Barrington by Susan Cabral
Marie Veronica Wagner by A.V. Coyle
Sr. Marie Veronica Wagner by Eugene Wagner
Gertrude Hoffman by Sr. Patricia Hoffman
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Ramos - my neighbors long ago in King City by Barbara Petrovic
Lois and Bill Morris by Marth Morris-Kenner
Betty Wagner and my aunts: Sr. Marie Veronica, Aunt Madeline and Aunt Ursula by Dolores Hanson
Betty Murphy by William P. Murphy
Christine Gobson Riley by Suzanne M. Gobson
My brothers Sandy and Duffy by Suzy Hunt
Betty Murphy by William P. Murphy
Christine Gobson Riley by Suzanne M. Gobson
Paul Unruh by Estelle Unruh
Felice Ortiz by Barbara Huber
Nona Ortiz by Robert Bruce
Janet Bergman by Carol and Rudy Ortega
Sr. Marie Veronica Wagner by Ann Veronica Coyle
Bill Cartwright by Norma, Paul and Sarah Cartwright
Pat Schmidt by Barbara and Christopher Westover
Gifts have been given this year (7/2009 - 6/2010) in honor and celebration of
George Steinbrenner by Jeffrey Jones
Dr. Dennis Eguchi by John Blitz
Larry The Cat by Jeffrey Jones
Hank and Peggy Mauz by J. Sloan Howard
Diane Cooley, "Best Buds - Carmel IX" by Carol Trabert
James Olson by Robert Olson
Celebrating my mother Clorinda Romero's 90th birthday by Maria O. Romero
In celebration of Tina Lau and Tom Charron's marriage by Catherine Jhung
Doug and Rhea Wong by John Craig
The Wagner Family by Joanne Wagner
In celebration of Susan Olson by Mary Campion
Kim Aday for her work in behalf of member-insureds of NIAC by Pamela Davis
Honor and thanks to Mark Buchman and Kayla Plourde by Ronald Kinninger
My mother Patricia D. Olsen by Pat Barton
Honoring and remembering the Wagner Family by Kathleen and Paul Berge
Annette Melendrez by Jeffrey Jones
Sr. Susan Olson in this milestone year for the Shelter! By Ellen and John Mahon
Celebrating the beginning of football season by Jeffrey Jones
Henry Meow by Jeffrey Jones
Mr. Rubber Dog by Jeffrey Jones
On Sunday March 29, 2009, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services lost a wonderful and steadfast supporter.
Shelter founder Sr. Marie Veronica's brother George Wagner died at the age of 99. George was instrumental in the purchase of the Emergency Shelter for Women and Children at 115 Brennan Street. We saw this house with its five bedrooms and large back yard and knew it would be perfect for a shelter. But, where would we ever get the money for a down payment? Sr. Marie said that she would ask her brother George for help. George trusted us to grow and gave us the downpayment for the house. We would have struggled for many years to provide sheltering services had George not risked and generously supported these first efforts of ours. George was known for this type of generosity. He brought us many other friends like Dick and Mary Solari and the wonderful connection with Granite Construction where George and Dick had begun their careers as young men and where George worked for 54 years.
This is the passing of truly one of the greatest persons in our community in his love and compassion for the poor.
We are grateful to all the Wagner Family who have become an extension of our family here at Pajaro Valley Shelter Services. Thank you for the many memorial gifts given in George's honor.
Sr. Susan Olson
Copyright (C) 2010 Pajaro Valley Shelter Services